born:   1780 near Spartanburg, South Carolina
died:  8 August 1873 in Clay County, Alabama
Served in the War of 1812 from Jasper County, Georgia (1814), along with his friend Jesse Whatley

1810 Spartanburg County (South Carolina) Census lists several William Smiths. One of them has a male and a female in the 25-44 age range, 1 female 10-15, and two males and a female under 10. His near neighbors are Anderson and Wilson, names which appear in our William's family. 
1830 Henry County (Georgia) Census, Garry's Dist.: William J. Smith with 2 males under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 15-20, 1 male 40-50, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 15-20, 1 female 30-40; nearby is Russell W. Smith, also Tailor Whatley next door to Milton Smith (relationship unknown).
1840 Troup County (Georgia) Census: William J. Smith, 2 males 10-15, 1 male 15-20, 1 male 60-70. 
1860 Clay County (Alabama) Census, Dudleyville: W. J. Smith, 80, Elizabeth, 74. Next door is son Martin Wilford Smith, 31, Mary A., 22, Frances A. 5, Lydia E. 3, John R. 6 months. An A.J. Smith, 35, is next to Martin, with wife Martha M., 30, Alford 6, Elizabeth 4, and Permelia 2. His relationship is unknown. Also in Dudleyville: William's son Malberry Smith, 36, Adeline (Adelaide)  31, Lueza 10, Mary J. 2; Ursula Smith (widow of Russell Wilson Smith) 47, Robert A. 19, Martin J. 17, George W. 16, Mary F. 14, John T. 12.  Next door to Ursula is her son-in-law and daughter, David Duffey, 30, listed as a carpenter; Elizabeth B. 27, Marcus M. 12, Daniel R. 9, Marietta J. 7, Augustus F. 5, Missouri J. 1. 
1870 Clay County (Alabama) Census, Mellow Valley: William is in the household of daughter Marena and son-in-law Peter Smith:
Peter Smith 56, farmer, b SC, Marenea 47, b GA, Elizabeth Hogan 34; Mary Smith 33, Lucinda Smith 22, J. W. Smith 20 (works on farm), Jno. G. Smith 18 (works on farm), Markus? Smith 11, Allice V. Smith 8, William Hogan 9, William Smith 91, Elizabeth Smith 83. 

Father: possibly Peter Smith
Mother: possibly Agnes //

Spouse:  Elizabeth (Betsy) Ann Smith 
married 1 June 1802 in Spartanburg District, South Carolina
First cousin of William Jackson Smith

Children:
1.  William Jackson Smith, Jr.
2.  Stephen Smith
3.  Robert Anderson Smith
4.  Sofia Winnie Smith (m. Martin Whatley)
5.  Russell Wilson Smith (m. Ursula Scott)
6.  Letty Smith (m. Griffin Morgan)
7.  Malberry Smith (m. Adelaide P. Moffitt)
8.  Marena Smith (m. Peter Smith)
9.  Martin Wilford Smith (m. Mary A. Slaughter)